“Was Throwing Punches Like a Man”: Boxing Trainer Details What Happened When 16 YO David Benavidez Sparred Gennady Golovkin

Imagine a 16-year-old stepping into the ring with a middleweight legend. This isn’t just any sparring session; it’s David Benavidez facing Gennady Golovkin. Picture Benavidez, a teen yet to make his mark, trading blows with a seasoned champion. How did a young Benavidez, then a mere 190 pounds, manage? Abel Sanchez, their trainer, recalled these rare encounters.

Was it a mismatch or a glimpse of a future star? Sanchez revealed how Benavidez, with limited amateur experience, showed surprising maturity and skill. These sessions weren’t about winning or losing; they were about learning and growing. How did Golovkin respond to this unexpected challenge?

Were they both going to war?

Abel Sanchez, the seasoned trainer who has witnessed countless rounds of sparring, vividly recalls the encounters between a young David Benavidez and the formidable Gennady Golovkin. In an enlightening conversation with Fight Hub TV, Sanchez brought these sessions to life with his detailed narration.

“They sparred probably three or four times,” Sanchez began, setting the scene of a young Benavidez stepping into the ring with Golovkin. He continued, “It was maybe five or six rounds but it wasn’t something where they were going out at each other.” This statement paints a picture of mutual respect and a focus on growth rather than competition.

Golovkin, recognizing the potential in his young sparring partner, moderated his approach. “Gennady had to work obviously not trying to hurt him or not trying to do anything damaging to him, but he had to work to get the sparring from him, to get good sparring from him and David made him work,” Sanchez elaborated. This acknowledgment showcases Golovkin’s professionalism and Benavidez’s ability to challenge even a seasoned boxer.

How an inexperienced David Benavidez impressed everyone

Interestingly, Benavidez’s weight played a significant role in these sessions. “I think at the time he was 189, 190 pounds,” Sanchez noted, emphasizing the physicality Benavidez brought to the ring at a young age. Despite being a teenager, Benavidez displayed a prowess beyond his years. “You can see he was a baby again but he was throwing punches like a man, he was in the ring just like a grown man and a very seasoned sparring partner,” Sanchez added, underscoring the young boxer’s impressive performance.

Furthermore, Sanchez highlighted Benavidez’s unconventional path to boxing proficiency. “He didn’t have that many amateur fights but his learning came in the gym,” he said, pointing out the significance of gym training in Benavidez’s development. This perspective is crucial in understanding how Benavidez honed his skills and built his boxing foundation.

The conversation with Sanchez not only sheds light on these pivotal sparring sessions but also offers a glimpse into the early stages of David Benavidez’s journey in boxing – a journey that would eventually lead him to become a force in the super middleweight division.

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The journey of Benavidez, from a heavy teenager to a super middleweight sensation, challenges us to look beyond the ring and consider the broader impact of mentorship and perseverance in sports. What do you think is the key ingredient in transforming potential into greatness in the boxing world? Let us know in the comments section below!

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